So this is the sword impulse, finally done. This took me about 3 weeks total, the core splendor took me about a day. As usual most all joints are functional, and features include a cockpit fit for a fig, and transformable core splendor, but more on that later. In case you cannot tell, I am in desperate need of blue parts, I know, a gundam builder without blue, sad. But I made due with what I had, the result however, was that I didn't have enough pieces to make the swords, and there was no chance of me having enough red to make the boomerangs. But I managed to make the armor sniders, and the shield, the shield does not expand however, because I can't imagine what mechanism I could create to do that. Additionally the shoulder armor is mounted using a ball joint, so it can be shifter to allow the shoulders to move up correctly. I used a combination of Mithryl's Strike/Freedom gundam frames, and his Generation 5 frame which can be seen here http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/147257 , and here http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/273999 . Anyways enjoy.

The ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam is the ZAFT equivalent to the Earth Alliance's GAT-X105+AQM/E-X02 Sword Strike Gundam. The Sword Silhouette pack is stored on the Minerva's dedicated hangar for the Impulse Gundam and is sent out onto the field via a computer-controlled Silhouette Flyer craft. The Flyer delivers the pack to the Impulse Gundam and automatically returns to the Minerva. When equipped with the Sword pack, the Impulse Gundam's VPS armor shifts to a predominantly red color scheme. The Sword Silhouette pack's armaments include two beam boomerangs similar to the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam, as well as a pair of anti-ship swords similar to the GAT-X133 Sword Calamity. The "Excalibur" swords can be combined into one large sword to attack several mobile suits or a battleship.

Miscellaneous Information

Pilot(s): Shinn Asuka, Lunamaria Hawke

Although the core splendor isn't quite the prettiest thing, I was more concerned about the transformation, because if I had been focused on looks, I wouldn't have bothered making it functional, and would have just made the backpack. Anyways, thanks for viewing, and if you have any questions or suggestions, or you just want to tell me its good, post a comment, see ya!

P.S. I may re-photograph this sometime later, because I know I can get better lighting, but I'll be taking a break from building for a few months, I'll remain active one the site, and maybe even post some LDD builds, but no real brick creations for a while.

Quoting BiO.Andrew (SCP-087 U Scareh. 0_0)
Hey Marcus! You may or may not have known this, but the Elite Mechaniers group now has a forum for everyone to communicate on. We would love to have you over there. Here's our link, hope to see you! http://elitemechaniers.forumotion.com/

Hey Marcus! You may or may not have known this, but the Elite Mechaniers group now has a forum for everyone to communicate on. We would love to have you over there. Here's our link, hope to see you! http://elitemechaniers.forumotion.com/

Quoting Mithryl Dlarix
Hey man,
Way to go on this! Impulse is a DIFFICULT model at best, and well nigh on impossible at worst because of the transformation gimmick. That is why no one attempts it. But you bravely go where others do not dare. So kudos to you. For other visitors, I want to point out two points of ingenious (and fairly original, at least as far as lego mobile suits go) construction that Marcus uses here. 1. Is on the hip skirt armor: Marcus' use of those pieces in the clips was something I've never even conceived of and I've been building for a lot longer than him. It just goes to show that everyone can learn from everyone (which is the whole point of this website, incidentally). I'll totally be stealing that side skirt armor technique if/when I get my actual lego back. Secondly is the mechanism for opening and closing the cockpit hatch. Its not perfect (exposed joints, etc.) but it is well placed and executed and really makes for a nifty hatch mechanism. Where other people (including myself) will settle for a simple hinge or even just simply ripping the door open (shame on you people who do that--who has to break out of their own mech to get out, I ask you?), Marcus added a cool hatch mechanism that actually swings up and out. Very cool. Is the model perfect? No, but what is? There's always room for improvement, but I think this one shows a ton of cool technique and that Marcus has really been paying attention to what other people are doing and more importantly, has been learning from them and then adapting what he's learned to his own style. Good for you! I hope you don't stop building any time soon, because your builds just get better and better each time. Keep it up!

Thanks for the comment, its good to see your still on the pages from time to time, I'd say a large part of the imperfections on my models come from lack of pieces, but I'll look into that sometime later, for now, I'll just make due with what I have I suppose.

I agree with the others, this is by far your best real brick creation with a lot of good techniques! What I like the most is the head, it's very well made and even has the usual red colors under the eyes!(tough the yellow fins would need a little more work)and the shoulder technique is also amazing. Now for some criticism/advice: I think the shoulders should be at least 1 stud higher for better proportion, and I feel that the upper part of the legs is a bit too wide, you could fix that with some cheese slopes. But despite these, it's still an awesome and accurate creation in terms of detail. Great job!

Hey man,
Way to go on this! Impulse is a DIFFICULT model at best, and well nigh on impossible at worst because of the transformation gimmick. That is why no one attempts it. But you bravely go where others do not dare. So kudos to you. For other visitors, I want to point out two points of ingenious (and fairly original, at least as far as lego mobile suits go) construction that Marcus uses here. 1. Is on the hip skirt armor: Marcus' use of those pieces in the clips was something I've never even conceived of and I've been building for a lot longer than him. It just goes to show that everyone can learn from everyone (which is the whole point of this website, incidentally). I'll totally be stealing that side skirt armor technique if/when I get my actual lego back. Secondly is the mechanism for opening and closing the cockpit hatch. Its not perfect (exposed joints, etc.) but it is well placed and executed and really makes for a nifty hatch mechanism. Where other people (including myself) will settle for a simple hinge or even just simply ripping the door open (shame on you people who do that--who has to break out of their own mech to get out, I ask you?), Marcus added a cool hatch mechanism that actually swings up and out. Very cool. Is the model perfect? No, but what is? There's always room for improvement, but I think this one shows a ton of cool technique and that Marcus has really been paying attention to what other people are doing and more importantly, has been learning from them and then adapting what he's learned to his own style. Good for you! I hope you don't stop building any time soon, because your builds just get better and better each time. Keep it up!